Recidivist

I've read here that people sometimes add protein powder to other foods in order to better meet their daily protein goals. I'm only familiar with the flavored powder for shakes, but this seems to be something different. Can anyone provide some information?

Froufrou, did your surgeon tell you how long after your surgery you could take a bath? Can you shower more or less immediately? (I'm having bypass on March 4 and am starting to think about life on the other side!)

Thank you so much for your reassuring words, Claricey. I know you are right and that I'm doing the right thing, but as the surgery gets nearer I have moments of doubt. I saw my surgeon today for the last time before surgery on Monday. and I'm feeling much better. And I agree--I will look back on this years from now and wonder why I was so worried.

I'm 59 and am doing bypass to ensure that I have golden years that I can enjoy!

I would say it's worth having gas for the chance to have Wendy's chili. ?

Pureed Wendy's chili sounds marvelous--I'll have to remember that when I get to purees. I'm glad to hear that you are doing better.

Forget a glass of wine--I want a large pizza!

On day nine of pre-op liquids, and I feel less hungry than I did the first week. I guess my body is adjusting. I'm feeling increasingly anxious and uncertain as the date approaches, and I'm sure I will until the moment they put me to sleep. I just keep reminding myself that I've been yo-you dieting for 30 years and this is my key to good health for the rest of my life.

Erie, I'm on March 4 as well. I think there are three of us now.

I'm also at 7:00 a.m next Monday (have to be at the hospital at 5:30). I just have one more meeting with my surgeon on Wednesday, and then nothing more until game day! I had the "Center of Excellence" issue with Aetna as well, but my surgeon said they had a work-around and dealt with Aetna directly about it. I don't know what she did, but I'm happy with the result. I'm in Washington DC--where are you located?

Hi, Cmaule. I'm also up on March 4, for gastric bypass. I'm also on day 8 of the liver cleanse diet, although my doctor allows only protein shakes--no solid food whatsoever. And I also have have Aetna as my insurance company. The didn't approve the surgery right away and made me jump through several more hoops before they finally said yes (about two weeks ago). I feel like I have waited a long time for this and I'm excited that the day is almost here.

Roxine, you are what we all hope for in our wildest dreams!

I'm down 13 pounds after the first week! And I completely understand what you are saying about the smell of food! The smell of bacon in our house on Sunday drove me mad.

I'm on week 2 of protein shakes, and it's going well. I found it was fairly easy during the week when I was at work and distracted by other things. The weekend, however, was a bit rough because there's no structure to the day and I often eat out of boredom. I also went to the grocery store with a friend, and that's the first time I had cravings since starting this.

Our nutritionist said that if they bring us anything in the hospital other than clear liquids, we should not eat it.

Perhaps your wife and kids could go to IHOP while you stay home and sip Premier Protein. ?

Physically I'm feeling surprisingly good--the liquid diet has been quite manageable. Emotionally I vacillate between "OMG, what am I doing?" and "I can't wait for this process to start."

Hi, Cher. Are you also having surgery on March 4? Thanks for the suggestion! I've already had my capsule medication changed to crushable pill. I'll try a few methods and see what works. I understand the bariatric vitamins are particularly vile.

Emz, My understanding is that the staples are inside to seal off the new pouch, not external. Does anyone have an incision near the belly button? I have a rather nasty scar there from my cancer surgery and I would love if they could use the same location and make the scar a bit prettier. (Haven't given up my dream of becoming a swimsuit model.)

So, can I just say that I had never heard of ricotta bake in my life until joining this forum, where it seems to be all the rage. Had you all made it before surgery or is it something you discovered afterwards?

EmzBee, that's a pretty dramatic difference in just a week. You look great, although it probably helps that you are smiling in second photo. There are ways to make your boobs larger if necessary down the road. However, I suspect your body will shrink to meet them. ?

Hi, Marine. My major problem on the pre-op liquid diet has been that it's all sweet and I crave something savory. I've been having chicken broth every day at around dinnertime, and that has made a big difference.

Hi, Brooklyn Kay! I'm doing two weeks of liquids and am on day 6, with my surgery on March 4. And I also have a cold! I met with the anesthesiologist yesterday and told him about the cold, and he wasn't terribly worried. He said that they could go ahead with the surgery unless I had a severe cold with significant chest congestion on the day of surgery (which I don't have at the moment). Good luck to you and let us know how it turns out.

I had laparoscopic cancer surgery in my abdomen in 2017, so I think I know what to expect. I stayed on pain pills (oxycodone) for three days, and then stopped on my own because they made me incredibly constipated. I don't remember the gas pains everyone is talking about here, so perhaps that will be a big difference with this surgery. My hospital has a pain management approach that I haven't heard anyone discuss. They put a slim tube into every incision that connect to a small ball that dispenses lidocaine on an ongoing basis (sort of like a drip irrigation system). We have this for up to a week and carry the ball in a small sling around the shoulder, then we take them out ourselves (AGH!). It sounds really odd, but they said it alleviates most of the severe pain without using narcotics. I let you all know how it goes!

It's interesting to see how different surgeons have different diets both pre and post-op, yet we all successful in the end. Now that I'm on liquids, the surgery is becoming quite real. My emotions range from terrified to excited to just wanting it to be over.